WTN: Alte-nator

[David M. Bueker]

2018 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese feinherb Ur Alte Reben - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (3/6/2021)
Note from night two...

Letting this wine open for 24 hours, and the bit of tightness, as well as a bit of a phenolic grip on the finish has passed. Now it's open, crystal clear, lightly fruity, and finishing with bracing minerality. It's not quite as deep as some prior editions (e.g. 2017 and the majestic 2012), but it certainly displays the nuance of fine Riesling, and merges the souls of grape and place. That's really all there is to ask. Drink this one up while letting the 2017 rest.

Another fine Riesling note. Saw some 2018 Willi Haag Feinherb downtown the other day.

[David M. Bueker]

Feinherb is a lovely category. If you grab a bottle of the Haag I will be curious as to your impressions.

[Jenise]

Can I ask what is 'feinherb'? It's a term I've only seen recently and I don't understand it.

[David M. Bueker]

Can I ask what is 'feinherb'? It's a term I've only seen recently and I don't understand it.

So 'feinherb' is an unregulated term that is generally used to denote wines that were similar to halbtrocken in style. Most feinherb wines are truly off-dry, but not in any way obtrusively sweet. Halbtrocken was officially restricted in terms of residual sugar, whereas a feinherb can be whatever the winemaker wants. In practice it's a reasonable indicator of the sweet spot (HA!) between trocken and the truly sweet kabinett or spatlese.

Hope that helps.

[Jenise]

Thanks, I get it.

Rieslings labelled feinherb are a big draw for me. 2018 Willi Haag downtown on my list.